Sheathed comb

ABSTRACT

A comb is pivotally mounted on an open edged channel shaped elongated case. A spiral spring is fastened concentrically about the comb pivot with one end thereof engaging the case to bias the comb toward an open portion extending longitudinally outwardly from the case. To releasably lock the comb in a closed position, wherein the comb teeth are nested within the case, a spring biased catch and a pushbutton release are provided. There is additionally included within the case, a bibulous slab of opencell foamed material having a plurality of parallel passageways. The number and positioning of the passageways are such that when the comb is within the case, each tooth of the comb is nestably received within one of the passageways. The bibulous slab may be impregnated with a liquid so that each time the comb is within the case, the individual teeth are wiped with the slab and liquid. A brush assembly is mounted on the inner walls of the case above the bibulous slab. The brush bristles abut the spine of the comb and insure the cleaning thereof.

United States Patent [72] Inventor lra J. Friedman 8 Whittier Place,Bomon, Mass. 02114 [211 App]. No. 873,607 [22] Filed Nov. 3,1969 [45]Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [54] SHEATHED COMB 12 Claims, 12 DrawingFigs.

[52] U.S.C| 132/119 [51] Int. Cl A45d 24/42 [50] Field ofSearch 132/119,

121,123,125,l27-l28,l29,132,134,135,143,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,401,576 12/1921 Babirad132/121 1,433,609 10/1922 Fullam 132/143 2,005,520 6/1935 Friedmann132/143 2,405,372 8/1946 Schier 132/1 19 2,437,298 3/1948 Heyman 132/1192,608,976 9/1952 Kittle et a1. 132/132 Primary Examiner-Robert PeshockAssistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeill Attorney-Natter, Wigman & NatterABSTRACT: A comb is pivotally mounted on an open edged channel shapedelongated case. A spiral spring is fastened concentrically about thecomb pivot with one end thereof engaging the case to bias the combtoward an open portion extending longitudinally outwardly from the case.To releasably lock the comb in a closed position, wherein the comb teethare nested within the case, a spring biased catch and a pushbuttonrelease are provided. There is additionally included within the case, abibulous slab of open-cell foamed material having a plurality ofparallel passageways. The number and positioning of the passageways aresuch that when the comb is within the case, each tooth of the comb isnestably received within one of the passageways. The bibulous slab maybe impregnated with a liquid so that each time the comb is within thecase, the in dividual teeth are wiped with the slab and liquid. A brushassembly is mounted on the inner walls of the case above the bibulousslab. The brush bristles abut the spine of the comb and insure thecleaning thereof.

PAIENTEDHuv 16 [an SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG.3

INVENTOR IRA J. FRIEDMAN wm zm ATTORNEYS srrsxruan COMB BACKGROUND OFTHE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Invention Self-cleaning combs.

2. Description of the Prior Art Combs have been an essential toiletaccessory for many years. They are invaluable grooming implements andare otten used during the day to maintain one's hair style and to placewindblown strands in their proper position. Because combs are neededduring the daytime, and because it is inconvenient to carry large combsabout one's person, the smaller combs of the pocket comb size arefrequently carried about.

It has been found that combs accumulate hair oils and solid particlessuch as airborne soot and flakes of dandruff present in hair. Theseaccumulations are undesirable, especially when the comb is carried aboutin a pocket, because they tend to soil the pocket. Furthermore, thesoiled combs could not be cleaned where there was no running waterfacilities and would redeposit the particles and oil back upon theuser's hair when the hair was again combed.

An additional problem encountered with the use of pocket combs was thefact that the user's pocket often contained solid particles, e.g., lint,grit, dust, etc., and there was a natural tendency for such solidparticles to cling to the oily surfaces of the comb, especially theinner facingsurfaces of the comb teeth. Naturally, when the user appliedthe comb to his hair, the particles from the pocket which clung to theoily surfaces of the comb would be deposited upon the hair.

An attempt to alleviate one of these problems, i.e., the soiling of theuser's pocket, was the mounting of a comb in a sheath case. Suchmounting was either a slidable mounting so that the comb was withdrawnfrom either an open side edge or an end of the sheather case, or, andmost commonly, it was the pivotal mounting of an end of the comb'on thecase. With the prior sheath cases, the combs could be seated within thecase after use, and there would be a reduced tendency for the comb tosoil the users pocket. The initial disadvantage, i.e., the deposit ofhair oils and solid particles from the users hair upon the comb itselfwas not alleviated.

Furthermore, the use of a sheath case did not prevent the pocket soilfrom accumulating within the case, and thus the soil would betransferred from the case to the comb. Thus, one was still required toscrub the pocket comb over a washbasin to keep the teeth clean.

A further disadvantage was the fact that because solid particles andhair oils wereoften deposited between the teeth of the comb, it wasdifficult to clean the comb thoroughly even when hot running water wasavailable. This was due to the fact that the natural hair oils would notreadily dissolve, and additionally, it was difficult to insert acleaning implement between each individual tooth. Therefore, thecleaning of a comb was a laborious process wherein the comb would besoaked for some time in a cleaning solvent or assiduously scrubbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a comb apparatus which is so constructed that it is not subjectto a any of the foregoing disadvantages.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a combapparatus of the character described which is simple and rugged inconstruction, yet can be easily fabricated by mass production methods.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a comb andcase wherein the comb is biased to a position where it extends from itscase for use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a comb which willbe automatically cleaned each time the comb is inserted into andwithdrawn from its case.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andunique method of cleaning a comb whereby the comb cleaning process isgreatly simplified.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a sheathed combof the character described wherein a spring loaded comb is pivotallymounted on a case and locked in a closed position with the comb beingreleasable therefrom to swing to an open position extending from thecase and ready for use in combing ones hair.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a combcleaning device of the general character described wherein the combteeth are positionable within parallel passageways of a bibulous slabimpregnated with a solvent.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combapparatus of the general character described wherein a bibulousopen-celled cleaning pad is carried by a case, said pad being providedwith a plurality of parallel passageways and impregnated with a hair oilsolvent so that each individual comb tooth may be wiped clean uponinserting of the comb into the case.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pushbutton spring biased comb apparatus wherein the comb carries a liner forwiping all surfaces of individual comb teeth.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part willbe pointed out hereinafier.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the sheathed comb hereinafter described, and of which thescope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in whichis shown one of the various possible embodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a comb apparatus constructed inaccordance with the embodying the present invention with the comb shownin its operative, i.e., open or extended position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the comb case illustrating aremovable panel at one end of the case; further illustrated is abibulous open-celled foamed pad which has been partially withdrawn fromthe case through the open end thereof and a brush insert which has alsobeen partially withdrawn from the case;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the comb seated in the case; the sidewall ofthe case has been broken away to better illustrate the relationship andposition of the comb teeth with respect to the bibulous open-celledfoamed pad;

FIG. 3a is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the bibulous P FIG. 4 isa sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 andillustrating a section of the bibulous pad which extends between thecomb teeth; additionally illustrated are the brush inserts which aremounted in the case, and the tips of which press against the comb spine;

FIG. 5 is a further sectional view taken substantially along the line5-5 of FIG. 3 and through an individual tooth of the comb andillustrates a portion of the bibulous foamed liner which press againstthe sides of the tooth;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the comb and case shown in FIG. 3 andillustrating the spine of the comb which extends partially over thesidewalls of the case to provide a seal;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and showing the manner in which the combbiasing torsion spring is mounted to rotate the comb to its operativeposition;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and illustrates the mechanism which locks thecomb in its closed position (seated within the case) and releases thecomb so that the spring may rotate the comb to its operative position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view through the comb case, said viewbeing taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 3 and showingfurther details of the comb case and the comb;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 10-10 of FIG. 8 but showing the comb in its operative position; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 12-12 of FIG. 10 and illustrating the surfaceconfiguration of a camming protuberance which projects from the tang ofthe comb.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREHiRRED EMBODIMENT The present invention wasdeveloped afier the realization that the difficulties inherent with theprior existing pocket combs could be solved with a single compact combwhich could not only automatically snap from its case to an operativeposition, but would also provide an arrangement whereby the entire combwould be cleaned each time it was inserted into and withdrawn from itscase.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral l denotesa sheathed comb constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention. The comb includes a plurality of parallel teeth 12 whichextend from an elongate spine 14 of T-shaped transverse cross section.The pivoted end of the comb is forked and includes two paralleldisc-shaped tangs or legs 16 and 17 (see FIG. 9). Each includes acentral opening through which an axle 18 is inserted. Said axle 18serves to pivotally mount the comb in a case 20. The axle 18 isprevented from rotating with respect to the comb by a keying arrangementwhereby the portions of the axle 18 extending through the leg openingsare noncircular, e.g., of square cross section, as are the openings (seeFIG. 10).

The comb case 20 includes parallel sidewalls 22, 23 which extendupwardly form a substantially flat base 24 and are smoothly ehamfered atthe upper edged 26, 27 thereof at the pivotal zone. The sidewalls 22, 23are joined across the edges 26, 27 at the distal (remote from thepivotal) end 28 of the case 20 and, at the pivotal end, the case isopen. At this open end, the comb is pivotally mounted between thesidewalls (see FIG. 9) to swing into and out form the case.

The axle 18 extends through aligned openings 32 and 34 in the sidewalls23, 22, respectively. Each opening 32, 34 is circular as is the axleportion extending therethrough so that the axle 18 is joumaled forrotation on the case 20.

Because the portions of the axle 18 extending through the legs 16, 17are keyed as are the leg openings, the axle 18 cannot rotate withrespect to the comb 10. The axle 18 is functionally unitary with thecomb 10 to effect the snap-out of the comb as will be subsequentlydescribed.

An automatic comb snap-out mechanism 35 illustrated in FIGS. 7-10includes a spiral leaf biasing torque spring 36 which is positionedbetween the legs 16, 17 of the comb l0 and is connected at its oppositeends to the axle 18 and the base 24 of the comb case. The spring isbiased to exert a clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 7) force on the axle 18which is keyed to the comb legs so that the comb 10 is urged toward itsoperative position wherein it extends longitudinally away from the case20, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The inner end 37 of the spiral spring has lug 36' extending into a slot38 (see FIG. 7) in the axle 18 while the outer end 39 of the spiralspring 36 has a lug projecting radially outwardly and abutting a flange40 projecting upwardly from and integral with the end of the base 24(see FIG. 7).

The flange 40 also serves as an abutment stop to limit the rotation ofthe comb so that the comb will stop only in its operative position shownin FIG. 1 afier swinging through an arc of approximately l80 To limitthe rotation of the comb as just described, the abutment stop 40 isengaged by a shoulder 42 at the pivotal end of the spine 14. Theabutting engagement between the shoulder 42 and the flange 40 is bestillustrated in FIG. 10.

The automatic comb snap-out mechanism 35 is provided with a latchmechanism 44 which releasably secures the comb in its retracted positionwithin the case and permits the spiral leaf torque spring 36 to rotatethe comb to its operative position after depression of a release button46. The latch mechanism 44 includes a catch engagement between the innersurface of the case wall 22 and the outer surface of the leg 16. Thecatch is released by lateral seperating movement of said two engagingsurfaces. The latching mechanism 44 utilizes a proportioning of theparts such that the space between the outer surfaces of the legs 16, 17is slightly less than the space between the inner surfaces of the casewalls 22, 23. This difference in spaces is taken up by a Bellevillespring 52 located between the leg 17 and the wall 23. The spring 52 isconcentrically mounted on the axle 18. The pushbutton 46 is in actualityan enlarged head on the axle 18, and is slidably positioned within anenlarged opening 50 in the outer surface of the wall 22. The other endof the axle terminates at a smaller head 48 which aids in holding theaxle captive. The pushbutton is depressed inwardly toward the interiorof the comb case 20 in order to move the axle 18 and the comb legs 16,17 (which are rigidly affixed thereto) laterally to compress (flatten)the Belleville spring 52 and to disengage mating catch surfaces. Whenthe pushbutton 46 is depressed, the axle 18 will slide laterally in thecomb case 20 while the Belleville spring is compressed.

It should be noted that the lug at the end 39 of the torque spring 36which engages the flange 40 is held thereagainst by preloading thespring and is slidably laterally along the flange 40 so that when thebutton 46 is depressed and the axle 18 and comb legs 16, 17 movelaterally within the case, the lug at the spring end 39 will slide alongthe flange 40 toward the case wall 23. Thus, the pushbutton may beeasily depressed to move the comb legs 16, 17 away from the sidewall 22without resistance from the spring 36.

The comb is held against the turning movement in its closed position bya catch mechanism constituting an engagement of the leg 16 and thesidewall 22. The catch mechanism comprises camming protuberances 54which under certain conditions preclude spring rotation of the comb withrespect the the case. Each protuberance 54 (see FIG. 11) includes asloping cam face 56 which extends outwardly from the surface of the leg16 and terminates at a step 58 which is perpendicular to the face of theleg 16. The protuberance 54 are concentrically spaced and evenlydistributed about the center of the discshaped ends of the leg.

The interior surface of the sidewall 22 is provided with matingindentations 60 which are of generally rectangular cross sections andinclude end walls adapted to engage the steps 58 of the protuberances 54when the comb is in closed position. The abutment of a step 58 and theend wall of indentation 60 will lock the comb against clockwise rotationso long as the leg 16 is seated against the wall 22 under the biasingpressure of the Belleville spring 52. It should be noted that counterclockwise rotation of the comb, i.e., from open to closed positionwithin the comb case, is not prevented. Thus, the sloping face 56 ofeach protuberance 54 is in camming engagement with the correspondingsloped bottom walls of each indentation, and when counterclockwise forceis applied to the comb, the camming engagement will move the leg 16laterally from the sidewall 22 to disengage the protuberances from theindentations. Thus, the comb may be swung into the case without themanual depression of the button 46.

While the comb is rotated in a counterclockwise closing direction, theprotuberances 54 will ride against the smooth portions of the innersurface of the sidewall 22 until the steps 58 engage the indentations 60at which time the Belleville spring 52 will force and snap the combagainst the sidewall and the protuberances 54 will seat in the newlyaligned indentations 60. Further rotation of the comb will cause theprotuberances to disengage the indentations 60 and the leg 16 of thecomb 10 to move from the side wall 22 until finally the comb is seatedin its closed position; the indentations 60 and the protuberances 54will be engaged and the comb leg 16 will abut the interior surface ofthe sidewall 22. Thus, a ratchet mechanism is provided which can bedisengaged to enable the torque spring 36 to snap the comb out from thecase and yet permits manual sheathing of the comb.

plify hair grooming as it will no longer be necessary to separatelyapply a hair dressing to ones hair prior to the grooming thereof.

Because the slab 62 is preferably impregnated with a liquid which may bevolatile, the comb case includes a shield 70 (FIG. 9) to inhibit theevaporation of the solvent from the case. The shield 70 is mounted inthe case 20 adjacent the comb legs l6, l7 and preferably is resilientand impervious to liquids. it extends from the base 24 of the casearcuately to the upper edges 26, 27 of the side walls 22, 23 and issecured to the sidewalls 22,23. The shield 70 has a central channel 71within which the comb 10 is seated when the comb is retracted into thecase. A suitable material for the shield is synthetic foam such as aclosed-cell polyurethane which will prevent loss of the liquid.

To inhibit evaporation of the liquid between the upper edges 26, 27 ofthe case sidewalls 22, 23 and the spine 14 of the comb, the spine, aspreviously mentioned, includes a transversely enlarged head the sideedges of which overlap the upper edges 26, 27 of the sidewalls 22, 23 toeffectively seal the comb case and lessen evaporation of the liquid.

The comb case 20 is further provided with an optional brush apparatus toinsure substantially complete removal of solid particles from the comb.The brush apparatus includes two brushes 80 which are slidably mountedwithin the comb case 20 with the tips of the bristles in opposedrelationship. Each brush 80 includes a substantially planar back 81 anda plurality of bristles 82 projecting from the back. The brush backs 81are engaged within grooves 84 formed in the opposed sidewalls 22, 23 ofthe case 20 and are positioned above the slab 62 substantially parallelto the upper edges 26, 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the brushes 80 may beremoved for replacement or cleaning through the open end 28 of the combcase.

When the brushes 80 are mounted in the channels 84 the bristles 82 areopposed and spaced from one another, and will rub against the sidesurface of the comb when the comb is retracted into the case. Thiscontact will provide an initial brushing and cleansing of the comb priorto contact with the liquid-impregnated bibulous slab 62. The brushesserve a further function, to wit: the final cleansing of the comb as itis withdrawn from the case to its operative position. Thiscleansing'will remove any solid particles which have accumulated on thespine above the portion of the spine seated within the channel 67 and,while the comb is being opened; the brush bristles 82 will brush anysolid particles into the space 69.

The use of the brushes 80 is optional and is desirable when the slab isimpregnated with cleaning solvent. The brushes will then act as a dryerto assure that the comb 10, when in its operative position, is clean,dry and ready for use.

Thus, it will be seen that there is provided a sheathed comb and amethod of cleaning a comb which achieves the various objects of theinvention and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practicaluse.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the present inventionand as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A cleaning apparatus attached to a hair grooming comb, said combhaving a substantially planar spine and a plurality of spaced coplanarparallel teeth projecting from one edge thereof, said cleaning apparatuscomprising an elongate resilient slab of bibulous celled foam material,said slab having a height greater than the length of the teeth, a widthgreater than the length of the spine and a thickness greater than thatof the comb, means forming a plurality of aligned spaced access openingsalong a face of the slab including the thickness and width of the slab,means forming a plurality of coplanar hollow spaced comb tooth receivingpreformed passageways within said slab, each preformed passageway lyingalong a plane substantially bisecting the thickness of the slab andalong an individual axis coincident with an associated access opening,each preformed passageway axis extending substantially perpendicular tothe width of the slab, each of said access openings being registeredwith a single preformed passageway, means forming a web of the bibulouscelled foam slab material between adjacent preformed passageways, eachpreformed passageway being so dimensioned that its width is slightlyless than that of a corresponding comb tooth to yieldingly accommodatethe comb tooth throughout its length, the comb being received in theslab, teeth lengthwise and teeth tips foremost with each tooth beingseated within a corresponding preforrned passageway and with thesuccessive webs being received in the spaces between adjacent successivecomb teeth.

2. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein meansfonning an elongate channel is included in the upper surface of theslab, said elongate channel lying substantially within the plane of thepassageways, the one face of the slab including the bottom of thechannel, the width of the channel being slightly less than thecorresponding thickness of the spine of the comb, solid particles beingremoved from surfaces of the comb by the sides of the channel while thecomb is inserted into the slab, a portion of the spine of the comb beingseated within the channel when the comb teeth are seated within theirpassageways.

3. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein theslab is impregnated with a liquid, selected comb surfaces being wipedwith the liquid as they are inserted into the slab.

4. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 3 wherein meansis included within the liquid for dissolving natural hair oils depositedon the comb surfaces and for breaking down constituents of dandruff.

5. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein theupper edge of the channel walls are feathered, the feathered edgesengaging solid particles adhering to the comb and removing suchparticles from the comb as it is inserted into the slab.

6. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 including acomb and wherein means is included to pivotally mount the comb on saidcase for rotation substantially in the plane of the passageways.

7. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein themeans pivotally mounting the comb on the case includes energy storingmeans, said apparatus further including a release mechanism forreleasing the energy storing means, said energy storing meansdissipating its stored energy and snapping the comb out of the case whenthe release mechanism is engaged.

8. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein brushmeans is provided, said brush means being mounted on the case below theopen top thereof and above the slab, said brush means contacting solidparticles on the comb and removing the same as the comb is inserted intoand retracted from the case.

9. A comb apparatus for providing a quickly accessible hair groomingpocket comb which may be easily carried about, said apparatus includingan elongate case having an open top, a hair grooming comb, meanspivotally mounting an end of said comb on said case, said mounting meansincluding an axle extending transversely through the case and an end ofthe comb, means journaling the axle for rotation about the case. meanspreventing rotation of the axle with respect to the comb, the apparatusfurther including an energy storing means for automatically snapping thecomb out of the case, said energy storing means comprising a spiraltorque spring,

having inner and outer ends, the inner end of said spring being engagedto the axle, the outer end of the said spring being engaged by a portionof the comb case, said spring biasing said axle for rotation of the combto its operative position wherein the comb extends longitudinally awayfrom and is in line with said case. said comb apparatus furtherincluding a release mechanism for selectively retaining the comb withinthe case.

ln order to provide for automatic comb cleaning, a case liner comprisinga bibulous elastomeric slab 62 of open-cell foam material is slidablymounted within the case 20. This slab 62 serves to clean the comb,dissolving natural hair oils and removing solid particles, e.g.,dandruff, lint, soot, etc., which have accummulated on or between theteeth of the comb. The slab 62 is formed of any bibulous, flexiblematerial such as natural or synthetic open-cell foam, e.g., open-cellpolyvinyl chloride, flexible polyurethane, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slab 62 is of substantiallyrectangular transverse cross section which mates and confonns with thehollow transverse cross-sectional interior of the comb case 20. The topwall of the slab includes upwardly, inwardly tapering arcuately slopedsurfaces 64 (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) which extend from the side edges ofthe slab to elevated ridges forming the upper edges 66 of the walls of achannel 67.

The channel 67 extends longitudinally along the upper surface of theslab and facilitates the removal of solid particles which have adheredto the comb teeth 12 and lower portions of the spine. The channel wallsare spaced apart a distance which is less than the thickness of the combteeth 12 and spine. A plurality of passageways 72 are spaced along thechannel. The passageways are mutually parallel and are arranged in alinear row running the length of the slab. The passageways have theiropen mouths at the base of the channel and extend into the slab towardthe base 24. The spacing between adjacent passageways 72 corresponds tothe spacing between adjacent comb teeth and the slab is so disposed inthe case that when the comb is pivotally retracted into the case, eachcomb tooth 12 will be seated within a passageway 72 having entered itsassociated passageway tip first. The width of each passageway isslightly greater than the width of the channel 67 so that (as bestillustrated in FIG. 3a the channel sidewalls are enlarged by thepassageways 72 giving the channel sidewalls a somewhat sinusoidalconfiguration. The thickness of the comb teeth is greater than thecorresponding dimensions of the passageways 72 so that when the combteeth are inserted into the passageway, brushing contact between theslab and the entire peripheral surface of each tooth is assured.

When the comb is pivotally retracted into the comb case the teeth 12extend into the passageways 72 (see FIG. 5) of the slab 62 and a portionof the spine 14 adjacent the base of the teeth 12 is seated within thechannel 67 (see FIG. 40.

The cooperation between the passageways 72 and the channel 67 on the onehand and the comb teeth and spine on the other is such to assure themaximal removal of solid particles carried by the comb as well as acomplete and effective cleansing of the comb. As the comb is pivotallyretracted (inserted) into the case, the teeth contact the upper edge 66of the channel side wall, which edge is feathered (see FIGS. 4 and 5) sothat any solid particles which are brushed by the edge 66 will beremoved from the comb and will fall or travel down the sloped surface 64on the top of the slab 62 into a space 69 between the slab and the combcase. Furthennore, ans as best illustrated in FIG. 3a, it can be seenthat portions of the feathered edge 66 which are between the spacedpassageways 72 will come into contact with the teeth 12 of the comb. Thedistance between opposed feathered edged 66 in these intermediate areasis less than the space between the feathered edges at the passageways72. Thus, when the comb is swung into the case, these last mentionedareas will contact the surface of the spine 14 between the comb teeth 12and will disengage and remove solid particles from the areas contacted(between the comb teeth). Furthermore, it can be observed that theopposed facing surfaces of adjacent comb teeth will be wiped by theportions of the bottom wall of the channel 67 which peripherallysurrounds each passageway 72. Hence, the passageways 72 and the channel67 work in conjunction with one another to remove the solid particleswhich are collected on the comb.

At this point it should be noted that when the comb is retracted intothe case 20, the teeth 12 travel in an arcuate path (about the axle 18)so that they do not enter each passageway 72 in an exactly verticaldownward path strictly perpendicular to the length of the case and slab;nevertheless this path is closely approximated to enable an excellentwiping action to be carried out along the length of the teeth and roundeach tooth. The foamed material of which the slab 62 is constructed isof sufficient resiliency to deform to permit slight expansion of thesizes of the passageways so that each individual passageway 72 willdeflect slightly to accommodate the comb teeth when they are inserted;indeed this deformation and subsequent spring back during entry of thecomb into the slab tends to increase the efficiency of the wipingaction.

It should be additionally noted that the slab 62 is longitudinallyslidably shiftably within the comb case (in a manner to be subsequentlydescribed) so that, optionally, the slab itself may move laterallywithin the case as the comb teeth 12 are inserted into the passageways.The lateral movement of the entire slab will serve to permit theinsertion of the teeth without the deformation of the passagewaysalthough the teeth are not travelling in an exactly vertical downwarddirection.

As was just mentioned, the slab 62 is slidably mounted within the combcase 20. For such purpose, there are notched tracks 74 and 75 (see FIG.5) which extend into the sidewalls 22 and 23, respectively. The tracks74, 75 are positioned adjacent the interior of the base 24 of the caseand are engaged by a plate 76 which is secured to the slab 62. The plate76 is of a width slightly larger than the width of the slab and of athickness slightly less than the widths of the tracks 74, 75 so that theportions of the plate 76 which extend laterally beyond the sides of theslab 63 extend into the tacks and are slidable therein. The plate 76 issecured to the slab 62 with the use of a suitable adhesive, e.g., anepoxy adhesive, which will not be dissolved by any solvent which iscarried by the slab.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slab 62 may be removed from the end 28 of thecase 20. There is a removable panel 78 for this purpose, the side edgesof which extend into a grooved passageway formed in the interior surfaceof the sidewalls 22, 23. The panel 78 is slid downwardly past the casebottom 24 by engaging a thumb nail notch (shown in FIG. 2) and applyinga downward force. After removing the panel the interior of the comb caseis exposed and the formed slab 62 may be removed for cleaning orreplacement.

As was previously mentioned, the slab 62 is constructed of a bibulousopen-celled foamed material although any other elastically yieldablebibulous material such as animal, vegetable or synthetic fibrous felt orbatting may be used so that the slab may be impregnated with a solventsuitable for dissolving not only natural hair oils, which increase thetendency for a comb to accumulate solid particles, but to additionallyact as a solvent for dissolving accumulated hair grease in whichdandruff and other particles are embedded.

Suitable solvents which may be used in conjunction with the slab 62 arecommercially available. A solvent which contains approximately 2 percentsalicylic acid will tend to break up grease. Additionally, ethyl alcoholin water in concentrations up to approximately 50 percent will assist inthe removal of dandruff and will further serve to dissolve natural hairoils and grease to insure complete cleaning of the comb 10.

When the comb is retracted into the case, and the teeth 12 are seatedwithin the passageways 72 with the spine 14 nested within the channel67, the solvent will be in contact with the normally dirtied surfaces ofthe comb against which the slab presses thus serving to cleanse thecomb.

Optionally, the slab 62 may be impregnated with a medicinal dandricideto assist in retarding the growth of dandruff on theuser's scalp andwhich will be deposited upon the users hair by the comb 10.

A further modification of the invention is the inclusion of liquid hairdressing impregnated in the bibulous slab 62 to be deposited upon thesurface of the comb. This will greatly sim- 10. A comb apparatusconstructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the portion of the combthrough which the axle extends includes two broad forked legs. he springbeing constructed of a coiled leaf of resilient material and beingpositioned between the legs.

I l. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 10 whereinmeans is included to permit the comb to shift transversely relative tothe case, wherein the release mechanism includes engaging means betweenthe case and the comb, said engaging means being released when the combis moved transversally within the case, the release mechanism furtherincluding biasing means urging the comb toward the engag ng means.

12. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein aresilient bibuious slab is included, said slab being secured within thecase, the slab having an elongate channel along its upper surface, solidparticles being removed from the comb by the sides of the channel as thecomb is inserted into the case and portions of the comb lying within thechannel when the comb is seated within the case.

i l i l

1. A cleaning apparatus attached to a hair grooming comb, said combhaving a substantially planar spine and a plurality of spaced coplanarparallel teeth projecting from one edge thereof, said cleaning apparatuscomprising an elongate resilient slab of bibulous celled foam material,said slab having a height greater than the length of the teeth, a widthgreater than the length of the spine and a thickness greater than thatof the comb, means forming a plurality of aligned spaced access openingsalong a face of the slab including the thickness and width of the slab,means forming a plurality of coplanar hollow spaced comb tooth receivingpreformed passageways within said slab, each preformed passageway lyingalong a plane substantially bisecting the thickness of the slab andalong an individual axis coincident with an associated access opening,each preformed passageway axis extending substantially perpendicular tothe width of the slab, each of said access openings being registeredwith a single preformed passageway, means forming a web of the bibulouscelled foam slab material between adjacent preformed passageways, eachpreformed passageway being so dimensioned that its width is slightlyless than that of a corresponding comb tooth to yieldingly accommodatethe comb tooth throughout its length, the comb being received in theslab, teeth lengthwise and teeth tips foremost with each tooth beingseated within a corresponding preformed passageway and with thesuccessive webs being received in the spaces between adjacent successivecomb teeth.
 2. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1wherein means forming an elongate channel is included in the uppersurface of the slab, said elongate channel lying substantially withinthe plane of the passageways, the one face of the slab including thebottom of the channel, the width of the channel being slightly less thanthe corresponding thickness of the spine of the comb, solid particlesbeing removed from surfaces of the comb by the Sides of the channelwhile the comb is inserted into the slab, a portion of the spine of thecomb being seated within the channel when the comb teeth are seatedwithin their passageways.
 3. A comb apparatus constructed in accordancewith claim 1 wherein the slab is impregnated with a liquid, selectedcomb surfaces being wiped with the liquid as they are inserted into theslab.
 4. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 3 whereinmeans is included within the liquid for dissolving natural hair oilsdeposited on the comb surfaces and for breaking down constituents ofdandruff.
 5. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 2wherein the upper edge of the channel walls are feathered, the featherededges engaging solid particles adhering to the comb and removing suchparticles from the comb as it is inserted into the slab.
 6. A combapparatus constructed in accordance with claim 1 including a comb andwherein means is included to pivotally mount the comb on said case forrotation substantially in the plane of the passageways.
 7. A combapparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein the meanspivotally mounting the comb on the case includes energy storing means,said apparatus further including a release mechanism for releasing theenergy storing means, said energy storing means dissipating its storedenergy and snapping the comb out of the case when the release mechanismis engaged.
 8. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6wherein brush means is provided, said brush means being mounted on thecase below the open top thereof and above the slab, said brush meanscontacting solid particles on the comb and removing the same as the combis inserted into and retracted from the case.
 9. A comb apparatus forproviding a quickly accessible hair grooming pocket comb which may beeasily carried about, said apparatus including an elongate case havingan open top, a hair grooming comb, means pivotally mounting an end ofsaid comb on said case, said mounting means including an axle extendingtransversely through the case and an end of the comb, means journalingthe axle for rotation about the case, means preventing rotation of theaxle with respect to the comb, the apparatus further including an energystoring means for automatically snapping the comb out of the case, saidenergy storing means comprising a spiral torque spring, having inner andouter ends, the inner end of said spring being engaged to the axle, theouter end of the said spring being engaged by a portion of the combcase, said spring biasing said axle for rotation of the comb to itsoperative position wherein the comb extends longitudinally away from andis in line with said case, said comb apparatus further including arelease mechanism for selectively retaining the comb within the case.10. A comb apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein theportion of the comb through which the axle extends includes two broadforked legs, the spring being constructed of a coiled leaf of resilientmaterial and being positioned between the legs.
 11. A comb apparatusconstructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein means is included topermit the comb to shift transversely relative to the case, wherein therelease mechanism includes engaging means between the case and the comb,said engaging means being released when the comb is moved transversallywithin the case, the release mechanism further including biasing meansurging the comb toward the engaging means.
 12. A comb apparatusconstructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein a resilient bibulous slabis included, said slab being secured within the case, the slab having anelongate channel along its upper surface, solid particles being removedfrom the comb by the sides of the channel as the comb is inserted intothe case and portions of the comb lying within the channel when the combis seated within the case.